Evolution has really shaped our African music in a lot of ways, both good and bad.
First of all, it as made it global. Nowadays, musicians from Africa can have their songs streamed worldwide with just a click. Thanks to different streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and even YouTube music, African artists are able to reach audiences they might never have dreamed of before. Just take a look at Wizkid’s recent album, which hit over 12 million streams worldwide in a day—this kind of thing would have been impossible years ago when we relied on CDs or downloads from specific websites. Today, anyone with a phone can listen to African music instantly, no matter where they are.
Evolution has also opened doors for African artists to perform on big stages worldwide. Artists like Asake and Burna Boy are selling out huge venues like the O2 Arena in London, something that would have seemed nearly impossible in the past. Our music is now being celebrated on stages all over the world, and it is actually amazing to see how far it’s come.
Another big change is the rise of new genres and cross-cultural blends. Amapiano, for example, started in South Africa and has quickly spread globally. It has this unique beat that creates such a vibrant atmosphere that even if the lyrics are simple,little or don't resonate with everyone, the rhythm alone gets people dancing. It is actually a great example of how African music is evolving, with unique sounds that are being embraced worldwide.
Technology has also played a role in these. We no longer rely solely on traditional instruments like local drums to make music. Electronic beats and digital production have made music creation easier and faster, and that has allowed African musicians to experiment with new sounds while keeping the music accessible to a global audience.
However, evolution hasn't come without its own negative side. For instance, some people feel that modern African music is losing its depth. Many new songs focus heavily on the beats, sometimes at the expense of meaningful lyrics. It’s actually not unusual for some african songs to go viral even if they’re light on substance—sometimes it's just the beat that pulls people in. In some cases, I find myself listening to these songs just for the fun and upbeat vibe, even if the lyrics don’t add much.
And then there's the issue of image. In older African music videos, artists, especially women, dressed in a way that many considered more traditional and modest. Now, music videos often feature revealing outfits and content that some people feel isn’t appropriate. This shift might be a sign of Western influence or simply part of how music videos have evolved, but it’s one of the ways African music culture has changed, and not everyone is actually happy about it. I don’t really like the idea as well because i think it has been affecting alot of young individuals when they feel they also need to dress or do those things they see in the video to be appreciated or respected in the society.
In short, evolution has brought African music a long way, by taking it to new audiences and inspiring new sounds and styles. It is actually amazing to see African artists thriving globally, but then it is also worth recognizing how these changes impact the essence of the music we once knew.
image is from Meta ai
Posted Using InLeo Alpha